Cinema 22

That was a Jerry Lewis Cinema?? Wait a minute…I think I remember this! Was it open under another name for a while in the 70s? Because I already said elsewhere that I remembered seeing Airplane! at the Bedford Playhouse, which is right up the road…I had completely forgotten that there was once another theater here. But now that you mention it, I might have seen Airplane! here! Wow, my mind is going…

The Hunting Ridge Mall was announced at 448 Post Road in 1970 with an A&P anchoring the 15-store plaza. The Mall was constructed in 1971 and a 350-seat automated Jerry Lewis Cinema was an original tenant. The venue launched after a significant delay on October 25, 1972 with Robert Redford in “The Candidate.” As the theatre was preparing its launch, it received a unanimous thumbs down from the city’s zoning board on operating with matinees due to parking concerns. That rule was overturned in December of 1972.

Meanwhile, over at Jerry Lewis Cinemas Inc. and its parent company, Network Cinema, things weren’t going too well. Lawsuits were piling up in late-1972 against the circuit for price gouging, lack of support, and inflated claims. This location was probably not too happy about falling behind schedule for nearly a year. 1973 brought Jerry Lewis parting ways with the dying concept and Network Cinema’s bankruptcy. On April 5th, 1973, Network Cinema’s phones were disconnected.

Give this location credit for dumping the Lewis name within just two months of its opening date. On December 22, 1972, the venue was renamed as Cinema 22 and the family-friendly policy espoused by Mr. Lewis was over quickly. The venue showed a double feature of “Swinging Stewardesses” and “Swinging Pussycats” just two weeks later. Though it was in keeping with the “porno chic” era of cinema exhibition, this was not what the Hunting Ridge Mall bargained for. “Gone With the Wind” was replaced with “The Sensuous Teenager” and “Love Under 17.”

The venue was operated by the Brandt Circuit from 1973 until its closure on Labor Day, September 7, 1987 with “Hamburger Hill.